In Case of Colic: What is Colic in Horses and How Do You Treat and Prevent It?

 
Few problems can leave you feeling more scared and helpless than a colicky horse. Sometimes colic feels as unpredictable as lightening striking and its frightening to wonder when and if it may happen to your horse. But what is colic in horses? And what can we do about it?
What is Colic in Horses?
Its important for any horse owner to know what colic is. Colic is a fairly general term for a bellyache and it can mean anything from a gas cramp to a more serious problem with the horses intestinal tract or other internal organs. Horses can develop stomach ulcers have blockages in their intestines or develop a twisted gut or an infection in the intestine kidney or liver.

Parasites can cause colic and so can overfeeding or the wrong kind of feed. Cancer is also a possible cause of colic. Because there are so many reasons for a horse to have a bellyache there really isnt a onesizefitsall treatment so its important to have a proper diagnosis of what is causing the pain before giving any sort of medicine.
Your vet may use a nasogastric tube to administer fluid or medication. 
Treatment
The vet will probably sedate your horse and do a rectal exam to try to feel what the problem is. She may do an ultrasound of the belly if she needs more information. The vet will pass a stomach tube and may give the horse medicine through the stomach tube.
She will probably give him some injectable medicine draw some blood and take a manure sample for testing. Some horses have to be transported to a hospital for further care and a low percentage may need surgery.
Prevention
An annual dental exam and float a good deworming and vaccination program and a diet appropriate for your horse may all help prevent colic. Regular turnout socialization and grazing or frequent feedings help keep the gut healthy and minimize stress. Horses are designed to move and graze constantly and the more their environment allows them to just be horses the healthier and happier they will be.
Rolling pawing and turning to nip at the stomach